Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

March 23, 2004

Tomorrow we will continue with Father Benedict's "From The Hospital" reflections. Tonight we will give you a short update on Father's condition.

Father Benedict continues to improve on a daily basis. Today he took his first couple of steps; and though he didn't go very far, it was a big accomplishment! He also took another big step today. The trach, which has prevented him from speaking and eating for the past two months, was finally removed. It was replaced with a small bandage and should now heal very quickly.

He is very grateful to God for all who helped him come this far and he asks for your continued prayers.

God bless you,

Br. Daniel Marie, CFR

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Dear Fr. Benedict: Praise be Jesus Christ Now and forever! Our family is so grateful for all you have done for the Church. Our kids have been to 3 Youth 2000 retreats. As a parent ,we can,t thank you enough. You will remain in our prayers. God Bless you. - Jack, Dover, Ohio

God Bless You Father, We continue our prayers of healing and sanctification for you. I am copying your notes #1-10 from the hospital and other place because I know your words are filled with the Holy Spirit. God has blessed us generously by allowing us to keep you with us longer and we are so very grateful to HIM. Please keep in contact with us with all your thoughts on your experience, I hope to help others who suffer with a copy of your words. They are going to spread all over like Olive Oil, dear Father! God Love you, we sure do! - Janet, Lake Villa, Illinois

FATHER Benedict, thank God and our lady you are able to speak. Your words of hope, trust, faith, and charity have been a constant encouragement for my family in these past days. My father in a special way has found strength and pesiverance listing to your letters. He is suffering along side with you and wants you to know he is uniting his suffering for your healing. I cant thank you enough for all your love for me and our families both blood and spiritual.When my father went into the hospital he prayed to Our lady that I would be able to visit him and also be able to see you before I return to England. She ansered both prayers with great speed. I'll see you tomarrow thanks be to our holy Immaculate Mother. Always your son and brother in Saint Frsncis and our ever blessed virgin Mother. May the holy trinity Father, Son, and, Holy Spirit Bless you with Peace and Mercy. - Brother Martin d.p. Maria CFR, Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Father Ben, we are so happy to know that you are doing better everyday! It's so wonderfull to hear from you almost everyday accross the ocean! We continue to pray for you, and I wish we have a chance to see you one day either in New York or in Paris, God willing... I have been delighted to discover that your 2 preferred saints are french! We send you a big hug from Paris! - Hélène, France

Dear Fr Ben, As I read your notes each day it enables me to ask God for more hope to deal w/ my own Health issues and to press on. Your constant acts of Faith are and example to all of us and enable those of us that are dealing w/ illness and possile coming close to our own deaths to have the eternal hope that Jesus Christ wants for us all. Thank you so very much for that JOy and comfort. from one Celtic soul to anther Cathy in good ole NY - Cathy, Baldwinsville, New York

Dear Father Benedict: It is such wonderful news to hear you are making steady progress. I am praying especially for your right arm and elbow. I am offering up the pain in my right arm for this intention. God bless you. - Adrienne, Canada

Blessed Be GOD! Tears stream down and I'm filled with Joy! You can speak again!! I've looked forward to the daily updates on you, and when challenged to forgive lately, I've remembered you and your suffering,quickly and happily forgiving then.You are loved indeed by so many...it may truly be a brief glimpse of heaven, I think.I am a Secular Discalced Carmelite.Know that you are in my prayers and heart,Fr.Benedict. - Natalie, Houston, Texas

Dear Father Groeschel, I am so thankful that the recovery and progress improves. I have donated a pint of blood in your honor and will do so again on my next blood date. I can give to the sick and injured something that cannot be purchased at the pharmacy. It is a very small thank you gift to you for all that you invest in your listeners. I would like to suggest to as many as possible of your greeters that they donate during lent and holy week and even beyond in honor of the friars work. God bless you. stay a fighter on your knees. You are a role model to many. - Amelia, Rome, New York

Dear Father Groeschel, Hey – it’s Tuesday again, and this is Mary Ellen from Maine. I am pleased to see that you are taking some steps toward rehabilitation and recovery. I am imagining a gift I want to send you, which is a little basket type container that hooks onto a walker. You can put your reading glasses, tissues, note pad & pen, rosary or small book in it, and then you have them when you walk from one place to the next with the walker. I thought I would somehow decorate it with some religious symbol to personalize it for you (as tastefully as I can.) That project will be for the weekend, as the week is very busy at the University. But, as usual, I will be back in my routine of saying the rosary for you while walking to the hospital to teach my nursing students. I hope that this week brings some progress for your mobility, so you can get around more easily and comfortably. - Mary Ellen, Bangor, Maine

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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